Seth's Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to the Yugioh franchise/name. All that belongs to me is the desire and plot of this story.

Seth's author notes: I do not claim that these events are accurate. Because they aren't. I changed a lot of the outcome, obviously by the summary, Yami or 'Atemu' has his own body residing in the realm with Yugi and the gang. Also, this is an interesting new twist in my style of writing, usually my stories are all about getting someone in someone else's pants, or some tragedy that ends with someone in someone else's pants... Usually S/J stories if you did not notice by now. This one is all about an epic new tale though it DOES contain some warnings and m/m action. Please read warnings below. Hope you enjoy!

Seth's warnings: This fic contains violence, non-con. acts (rape), male/male interaction, Shounen-ai, yaoi, suicidal intentions, self-inflictions, alcohol, blood/gore, language, and going with the fact that this has to do with changing the actual story of the Yugioh ending, I suppose I'd have to label it as an AU.

SUMMARY:

Upon the ending battle between Bakura the tomb robber and Atemu the Great Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, the evil being was banished into the eternal depths of the Shadow Realm, sealed by the connecting lights of the Millennium Puzzle. After this horrendously long ordeal resulting in a bittersweet victory, The former Pharaoh and young boy Yugi Mutoh dueled to seal the fate and ease the wary heart of the scarred and ceasing spirit. Yugi Mutoh defeated his ancestor allowing him to pass over and find peace...

Upon their return to Domino, Japan, as the group- separating paths with the Kaiba family as well as the silent lonely Ryou Bakura - Yugi and his friends opened the doors to the Kame Game Shop to find none other than Atemu in physical form deep in thought and discussion with Yugi's grandfather, Solomon Mutoh. This mysterious change baffled all, including the once named King of Egypt, but as time went on eventually the news spreading of Yugi's secret 'twin' brother, they grew to accept the lovely change in fate and move on. Two years since the raging battles of the world ended, is where something new falls before our peaceful heroes...

Hostile Takedowns

01: It Begins With…

Atemu's eyes snapped open as his body trembled against the now wrinkled, twisted sheets underneath. He slowly sat up swallowing the lump in his throat as the sweat glistened in the moonlit room. He ran a shaky hand through his locks of black, red and blond trying to decipher his latest dream, no this nightmare. "Damn it. Once more the answers plague me, I cannot even recall a single memory from It." 'Just like last time. It's as if it were a warning and yet whatever is coming does not want me to get it.' He furrowed his brows. Whatever it was he was certain it had to do with the fate of the world. He stood taking a few minutes to relax his body and ease his panting. As his legs fully strengthened he walked over to his other half's bedroom.

As quietly as he could he crept to the small nightstand that resided beside the sleeping other's bed. There upon it lying silently next to the small lamp was the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi's dearest treasure. He paused for a moment as Yugi mumbled something in his sleep before turning to face the wall. With a relieved sigh, Atemu reached over and picked up the Millennium Puzzle and quickly left the room and returned to his own.

He sat down on the foot of his bed letting his fingers run along the smooth edges of the Puzzle, his eyes closed as he whispered a few Egyptian chants and his body fell limply onto the bed. When his eyes opened he was inside the Puzzle – well his soul was at least. "I know you reside here. Tell me, have you felt the foreboding?" He called to the silence around him.

After a few minutes of relative quiet, a form began to materialize from the shadows beneath one of the many stairwells within the endless maze. The cold lifeless eyes of Shadi, a remnant of a protector that once claimed to keep the items safe, bowed slightly to the once named Pharaoh, there was not a hint of pleasantry along his features, not that any emotion was ever present on the emotionless being. Atemu remained unflinching to the other's slow approach, wanting desperately to know what was going on.

"The ghosts of this place murmur death and defeat to a peace once known along its corridors. There seems to be an old aura wrecking havoc in secret and shadow. This bodes not well for the future."

Atemu felt the disappointment within his heart crush a part of him. "Can you tell me any more about this 'aura'? Can you tell me what it is that this being wants?"

The other seemed to stall in answer, listening to the voices clouding around, they weren't audible to the ears of man but moaned loudly to the spiritual entity, "All that can be revealed is the evil intent of this other. There is no recoil and his rage will be swift, unrelenting. There will be great suffering before the end. This is what the ghosts thus tell me." He replied, his eyes sliding shut as his body began to fade away.

Atemu scowled in disapproval. "This is all? What does this being hope to accomplish?" He ordered further, if there was one thing Atemu couldn't stand, it was uncertainty and lack of knowledge. Shadi said nothing more and completely disappeared. It would've been pointless to call out knowing the spirit wouldn't answer further calls, so he let his eyes fall and whispered his way back to reality.

He laid disinterested staring up at the ceiling in worry. "What troubles do we now face?" He questioned with a hopeless smile along his features. He absolutely hated the unknown. For once, he thought that the troubles were over and life could continue forward. But now all he could see was a new turmoil and within him feel a desperation and strike on their lives. He gripped the Puzzle lying against his chest and bit his lip in miserable thought, "What is my next move?" 'Or more importantly – what's his?'

Kaiba swallowed the last bit of his third cup of coffee. He bitterly turned the page of his newspaper and attempted to read the words but as he'd come to realize, it was impossible to concentrate. He shut his eyes tightly and repressed a growl emanating from his throat. 'This isn't going to do. It was a stupid dream.' Alas, as he'd been repeating the whole morning, it still wouldn't let him be.

Last night was not a good night, nor were the past three weeks anything to boast about. He recalled fragments of the dream, though he'd rather not remember a thing because those 'fragments' involved history of himself, the newly named 'Atemu' and the thief known as Bakura… He couldn't recall much except the laughter of the muscular and sinister tomb robber. It bothered and nagged without stop, eating away at his conscience, as if trying to warn him of something but he refused to believe in such things. Sure maybe he'd have to admit there had to be something magical about the whole thing – they'd been through so much hell for him NOT to admit to some sort of ethereal prophecy but that was all in the past. It was over. His nice life of normality was finally coming true.

"Seto, I'm talking to you!" His attention shifted from the dream to his company sitting right beside him. His eyes blinked as he refocused his thoughts on his dear little brother, now tapping his foot along the tiled breakfast room floor. "What are you thinking of?"

Kaiba shrugged. "Nothing of much importance. What was it you were saying?" He asked, as a newly poured cup of coffee was placed down onto the table for him. He hadn't even noticed the maid take the empty one a few seconds ago!

Mokuba exhaled dramatically. "I was asking you what was wrong. You seem to be a little out of it today, or actually now that I think of it, you've been spaced out these passed few weeks. Have you been neglecting sleep again?" He scolded hopelessly.

He met gazes with his hazel-eyed brother and smiled softly. It'd been a few years since the whole 'save-the-world' adventures with Yugi Mutoh and his friends ended, Mokuba was fifteen now and had just as much power emotionally and mentally as his older brother. Even their glaring matches they occasionally had, were nearly equal in intensity. "Mokuba as always you worry way too much about me. I'm fine."

"Right. Of course Seto and as always you're hiding the truth from me. I swear one of these days it's gonna blow up in your face." He warned standing up and taking a last big gulp of his orange juice. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

Kaiba rolled his eyes, standing as well. "First off, 'gonna' isn't a word and you have a napkin right there beside your plate. And besides, I'm not necessarily hiding the truth from you Mokuba. It isn't even anything of importance. You're worrying needlessly I assure you." He cringed mockingly in disgust as the other stuffed a strip of bacon into his mouth. He patted his brother on the head. "Now hurry up, the car's waiting to drop you off at school."

Mokuba brushed his hand away, "Yeah yeah, I know." He drawled. "I'm goin'." He swallowed and wiped his mouth on his other sleeve - Kaiba rolled his eyes once more.

"Atemu what's wrong?" Yugi pondered as he slipped on his trademark black sleeveless tee with tight blue jeans and leather accessories. He looked himself over in the full-length mirror and placed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck, turning his attention fully on the looming figure leaning against his door.

"I'm not sure. Yugi, I don't think I can accompany your friends today. I have something to check up on at the Ishtar residence." He replied honestly. He'd come to realize over the passing years to trust the others because in the end keeping them in the dark only made things worse, plus whatever this 'old aura' was could try to target them, and so they needed to be at least aware.

Yugi's face twisted into confusion and then uncertainty and then finally curiosity. "What is it you need to 'check' on?"

The question was expected and yet he didn't know how to word it without worrying the other into coming along. Though he pondered if that'd be so bad but he hated his smaller half to be filled with such pain and fear especially after getting used to the cheer and peace from moving on and the normal life of bliss with his friends. The dreams were becoming increasingly more dramatic though, he'd come to realize whether that meant it was coming sooner than expected he was not sure but assumed the worst anyhow. He frowned even deeper letting the anxiety and worry reveal on his stern features, too deep in thought over whether he should tell the other about the nightmares he'd been having he hadn't noticed the apprehension on the smaller's face.

"Hey, what's going on?" He questioned again with a bit more emphasis.

Atemu sighed and shook his head. "Listen I just need to ask Ishizu about something that's been troubling me. I promise to tell you about it later on today, just enjoy yourself with the other's." Yes, like he'd really be able to enjoy himself after that…

Yugi pouted and folded his arms across his chest defiantly, yet with Yugi's chubby little cheeks, his 'defiance' was nothing short of cute. "Atemu-"

The doorbell rang throughout the house, a distraction Atemu was grateful for. "Listen, they're here now. I don't want you to worry about it right now. It's nothing to worry about anyway." He lied. "I just need to speak with her and I will definitely explain this with you later on. Go and have fun for now." He pleaded opening the door of Yugi's room.

He frowned but nodded hesitantly, not really wanting to let this go. The two headed down the small stairway and Atemu opened the door with a welcoming smile upon seeing the sweet smile of Anzu Mazaki. "Hello Atemu, you feeling all right this morning?" He chimed walking in and settling her eyes on Yugi.

Atemu nodded. "Just fine." He replied. His smile fell to a smirk as three other familiar faces popped up. "Looks like the gang is all here." He further stated.

Jounouchi saluted the ex-Pharaoh and immediately ran to Yugi, grabbing him in a headlock and ruffling his hair. "Hey guys, howya doin'?" He remarked laughing at Yugi's attempt to get away.

Honda rolled his eyes at the blond's antics. "Hey Atemu, you joinin' us today? We have a lot of things planned for this beautiful Saturday morning!" He tempted. His attention turned back to Jounouchi. "Hey let'em go knucklehead, you're gonna mess up his gravity-defying haircut!" He joked but grabbed the 'knucklehead' and began giving him the same 'noogie' treatment.

Yugi twitched his eyebrows some running his hands through his hair. "You guys are all hyper this morning." He commented breathlessly. He knew better than to try to fight Jounouchi the boy being bigger than he, but he couldn't help it.

Anzu rolled her eyes in acknowledgment. "They've been goofing off like this since I picked them up. I guess it's a good thing though, usually these two are half-dead and sleeping so early in the morning. So are you guys ready to go?" She asked.

Yugi sighed and continued to shuffle his hands through his hair. "Well Atemu isn't coming with us he has.. something he wanted to do." He answered sort of glumly.

Anzu frowned but nodded. "Well, if its something important we can all go there first." She suggested shifting her attention to the taller tri-colored man.

Atemu shook his head trying to find some way of explaining this to her. Yugi cut in, "No it's something he wanted to do by himself. So we'll just have to have extra fun on his behalf." He smiled happily. For once, Atemu was thankful for Yugi's ability to mask his frustrations and worries.

Jounouchi and Honda stopped their wrestling long enough to catch some air and still their panting. "Let's get goin' then. Atemu I'm afraid to say, you're missin' out on some fun." The blond replied as he headed out the door. Honda snorted and soon followed. Yugi laughed and dared to look in the small mirror lying on the counter by the game-shop's intersecting door.

"Your hair is fine, Yugi. Let's go before Jounouchi and Honda start messin' with the buttons in my car." Anzu said following behind the smaller. Yugi nodded and headed, she started but stopped with her hand on the front door to face the silent one with a stern and quizzical stare.

Atemu could feel her eyes on him but refrained from looking into them. It was strange for the strong and confident King of Games to be so hesitant and weak in front of someone but he had a secret crush, perhaps something stronger than 'crush', on the cerulean-eyed woman beside him. In any other time, or any other person, he would have definitely confronted them and expressed his emotions but in this particular situation he couldn't.

"Atemu." She called but received no recognition. She frowned and reached out, resting her hand on his arm. He flinched and quickly stared back at her with a far-away look along his eyes. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" She asked concerned.

He smiled meekly at her and nodded. "Yeah. I have to do something and it really might take all day. I'm sorry." He replied trying to reassure her that he was okay. She had a keen sense of feeling others problems, luckily she's never figured out why he remains so quiet all the time. He wanted more than a friendship with her but she could never know that. "I'll try to finish quickly and find you guys later."

Anzu let him go and smiled not really letting her own concern leave her eyes. "Okay. Well, we'll miss ya with us. I'll have Yugi call you later." She waved to him before leaving him to the empty silence… He would never tell because dear sweet Anzu Mazaki was dating Yugi.

Atemu sighed and stalked back up the stairs. The trivials of his love-life would have to stand back because he currently had something bigger and more important to worry about. He reached his bedroom door and picked up his cell-phone that was sitting forgotten on his bed. He dialed a number that he hadn't called in a very long time.

"Ishtar residence." The voice was soft and gentle. "May, who I ask, is calling?"

Atemu swallowed hard. "This is Atemu Mutoh, I need to speak with Ms. Ishizu Ishtar it is imperative that I speak with her."

"One moment please." She was dressed in a long blue dress-robe, she appeared timid and gentle in step and touch, her knock was light and hesitant.

"Come in."

She obliged to her master's order and opened the left wooden oak door. "Lady, Isizhu, there is a Atemu Mutoh that would like to speak with you. He insists it is of great importance." She replied immediately.

Ishizu turned around abruptly with a look of utter shock on her face. "Atemu?" The emotion in her voice was the complete definition of surprise. She thought on a few more seconds feeling like the world had frozen in place. With a small sigh she nodded and retrieved the receiver along the desk behind her. Thank you you may leave." She cast a warm smile to her maid and placed the phone to her ear. "This is Ishizu Ishtar."

"I need to speak with you."

Her features darkened in confusion as she tried to ponder on what he could be needing from her. "What is the purpose of this meeting?" She questioned lightly.

"I would rather much explain this in person please." He insisted further.

"Very well. Please you may come on over right now if it is of such great importance." She agreed. "I will let them know you shall be arriving shortly."

"Thank you."

She hung up and placed her hand to her lip. "There is only one reason why he would choose to speak with me." Her thoughts raced to the hidden vault beneath the large house her and her brothers were living in. They had decided to return to Japan after hearing of the madness dealing with the past Egypt. Under the house there was a hidden vault that she and Atemu had placed an Egyptian barrier to safeguard the remaining Millennium Items. Still, there were some that weren't placed within the barrier, "Yugi's Millennium Puzzle, whom cherishes it for all it has brought to him. Atemu decided not to take away from the boy something that brought him so much memories." She exited her study and descended the stairs still in deep thought, "But the boy, Ryou Bakura, still possesses the Millennium Ring, which Atemu deemed harmless to hold." It was true. After dwelling within to check for any remnants of the tomb robber and finding none, he allowed the boy to keep it.

"Ishizu, Ishizu!" She turned abruptly to the familiar screaming of her youngest sibling.

A smile graced her lips as she shook her head at his rushed running down the stairs. "You're destined to fall clumsily if you do not quit storming down like so." She scolded though knowing he wouldn't listen. "What is it, Malik?" She questioned with her hands resting at her hips.

He took a deep breath and nodded in apology. "I heard from Amile that Atemu just called. What did he want?"

"I will have to speak with Amile about telling my personal phone-calls to you in the future. However I am not sure, little brother, what the Pharaoh wants. He will be arriving shortly and you may accompany me if you so please." She answered considering that it wouldn't hurt to involve him. Though thinking on it now and seeing the spark of interest and curiosity she started to question her own decision.

"I do wonder what it is he wants. We haven't spoken to him since he entrusted us with protecting the Millennium Items." He commented.

She smiled. "Indeed. Alas we'll figure it out once he arrives. Now do me a favor and inform Odion of this news." He nodded and took off up the stairs in much the same as he'd come down. She sighed and descended downward. 'What is it about this that makes me feel so deeply troubled inside?'